The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) Alumni Association has recognized two outstanding graduates with the 2025 Alumni Distinguished Service Awards for their exceptional contributions to veterinary medicine, biomedical science, and the broader community.
Launched in 2019 by the SVM Alumni Advisory Board, the awards program celebrates SVM alumni who have made significant contributions to society and whose accomplishments, affiliations, and careers honor the legacy of excellence at the school.
The Alumni Advisory Board has since grown into the UW SVM Alumni Association (SVMAA), established in July 2022 to support the school’s advancement through alumni engagement.
Learn more about the 2025 award recipients:
2025 SVMAA Distinguished Service Award (DVM) — Dr. Kathryn Meurs
Dr. Kathryn Meurs, a 1990 graduate of the UW School of Veterinary Medicine, is internationally recognized for her pioneering work in veterinary cardiology and genetics. Her research has led to the identification of molecular mechanisms underlying heart disease in companion animals, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats and dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. She co-discovered a now commonly recognized form of right ventricular cardiomyopathy in dogs that previously was an unexplained cause of canine death. It mirrors a similar condition in humans, advancing both veterinary and human medicine.
Dr. Meurs has published more than 125 peer-reviewed manuscripts, holds two patents, and has served in numerous leadership roles in the field of veterinary medicine, including her current position as dean of the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. Her work has made a meaningful contribution to the One Health initiative, which aims to improve the health of humans, animals, and the environment, by fostering collaboration between veterinary and medical schools.
Known for her approachability, Dr. Meurs has been an inspirational mentor to many — supporting colleagues and students in their professional development and research endeavors. Her career has embodied the Wisconsin Idea by leaning on her education and experience at UW as a springboard to improve lives in both Wisconsin and beyond.
“My time at UW helped me understand the diverse career opportunities for veterinarians,” Dr. Meurs says. “I had the opportunity to become involved in research and learned how research and discovery play an integral role in advancing medicine.”
2025 SVMAA Distinguished Service Award (Graduate Program) — Dr. Mary Haak-Frendscho
Dr. Mary Haak-Frendscho earned her PhD in Veterinary Science from UW in 1991 and has built a remarkable career spanning academia, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical innovation.
Her early post-doc research at Genentech contributed to the development of XOLAIR®, a groundbreaking immunotherapeutic drug for allergic and inflammatory conditions.
“The experience established my career course and taught me how applying cutting-edge science to real-world problems can have a huge impact on improving a patient’s quality of life and overall health,” Dr. Haak-Frendscho says. It also became personally meaningful to her years later, when her mother was successfully treated for intractable atopic dermatitis with XOLAIR®.
Dr. Haak-Frendscho has held executive leadership roles at numerous biotech firms, including Takeda San Francisco, Igenica Biotherapeutics, and Spotlight Therapeutics, where she currently serves as president and CEO. Her work has developed antibody-based biologics and is advancing research to help correct genetic defects in living organisms. She has authored 74 publications and holds 25 patents.
Her commitment to mentorship and education is evident in her long-standing affiliation with UW-Madison, including 17 years as an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, where she now enjoys an honorary fellow appointment. She is a member of the board of trustees for the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), where she helps guide the university’s innovation and commercialization efforts.
When she entered graduate school, “many academics held a dim view of industry as a first-choice occupation for PhD scientists, whereas the forward-thinking professors at UW-Madison supported my career goal,” Dr. Haak-Frendscho says. “Many of my professors served as role models, engaging in applied science in addition to their academic research.”
“Looking back, my education and training at UW-Madison were anchored in the Wisconsin Idea, which has aligned well with my professional objectives.”